BallReviews

General Category => Drilling & Layouts => Topic started by: toadbam on March 05, 2015, 03:28:31 PM

Title: Getting rid of pitch under thumb
Post by: toadbam on March 05, 2015, 03:28:31 PM
Ladies & Gentlemen,

So years and years ago, I must have had some trouble hanging on to the ball, and for as long as I can remember, my thumb pitches have been 3/16" back and 3/16" palm. Somehow, my thumb doesn't hurt.

This worked fine for a long time, but as I find myself bowling on more demanding stuff, and sometimes having trouble with my timing, I think it's become an issue. If my timing is off a little, the ball will either drop straight off my hand and go right or will stick on my thumb and land 10" downlane. I've also noticed that the ball won't come off if I change my hand position and try to come around it more (I'm pretty up the back usually).

So, what do I do? Get rid of just the side pitch under the palm? Go to 0 in both directions? How much would you change the span if you did this? I know Bill Taylor says it's a 2:1 thing, but I can't imagine taking 3/8" off my spans just to go to 0 pitch.

Also, how much messing around should be necessary to find something comfortable? Does anyone still do the Coke can thing? Is there some other way to determine an ideal pitch, or are we just doing trial and error at this point?
Title: Re: Getting rid of pitch under thumb
Post by: JohnP on March 05, 2015, 04:01:28 PM
When you say "3/16 back", is that forward or reverse pitch?  --  JohnP
Title: Re: Getting rid of pitch under thumb
Post by: toadbam on March 05, 2015, 04:03:27 PM
3/16" reverse, away from the center of grip.
Title: Re: Getting rid of pitch under thumb
Post by: ImBackInTheGame on March 05, 2015, 04:09:04 PM
If my timing is off a little, the ball will either drop straight off my hand and go right or will stick on my thumb and land 10" downlane. I've also noticed that the ball won't come off if I change my hand position and try to come around it more (I'm pretty up the back usually).

It doesn't sound like pitch issue to me since sometimes you drop the ball and sometimes your thumb sticks.  Sounds like the thumb hole size may be a bit big or too much bevel.  Perhaps when your grip is relaxed you drop it and if you squeeze a bit, you stick. 

Do you use tape?
Title: Re: Getting rid of pitch under thumb
Post by: JustRico on March 05, 2015, 06:34:17 PM
If you subconsciously have to let go of the ball one shot you'll over grip and hang up...next shot you relax and drop it...the ball should not have to trues to release, it should release due to gravity and momentum...
I would think a 1/16"< and a 1/16"v to try at first...that should get your hand in more natural position to release